Chased by Melissa F. Miller

Author:Melissa F. Miller [Miller, Melissa F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781961427075
Published: 2024-02-19T18:30:00+00:00

9

While Ryan fired up the public computer in the archive reading room to locate Grover Anderson, Leilah found the ladies’ room. She was washing her hands when she noticed her makeup could stand to be freshened up. In her view, being on the run from unknown government agencies was no excuse for letting her personal standards slip, so she removed her makeup bag from her purse and began to attend to the repairs.

She was daubing lip primer and plumper on her full lips to create the base coat for a fresh lipstick application, when the door from the hallway opened and an older woman strolled in, humming to herself.

“Oh, goodness! I didn’t realize anyone was here.” She clasped a hand to her throat, then she frowned. “But you left hours ago.”

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Leilah said with a smile, turning away from the mirror. “I’ll bet you’re Maggie O’Donnell.”

The woman’s face relaxed. “That’s right.”

Leilah swiped the lipstick over her mouth, checked her handiwork, then returned the tube of lipstick and the jar of primer to the bag before extending her right hand. “I’m Leilah Khan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Maggie O’Donnell murmured as she shook Leilah’s hand. “Leilah’s a pretty name.” She paused and tilted her head. “Seems I’ve heard that name recently?” Her voice carried a question.

“Probably from Ryan.”

The woman’s face lit up. “Oh, you’re Ryan’s Leilah. What on earth is he doing back so soon? Getting your car?”

“He needed to look up one more piece of information. In fact, I suspect he’s already finished, so I should hurry back. You take good care, Mrs. O’Donnell.”

Leilah zipped the makeup bag closed and returned it to her tote bag.

As Leilah headed toward the door, Maggie called after her, “Did Ryan’s friends catch up with him?”

She froze with her hand on the door, poised to push it open. “His friends?”

“Yes, not even five minutes after Ryan popped into my office to say goodbye, four gentlemen showed up asking if I’d seen him.”

Leilah turned from the door and pasted a bright smile on her face despite her galloping pulse. “Oh? Did you catch any of their names?”

Maggie frowned and gave a slow shake of her head. “I’m afraid not. I’m surprised they didn’t head over to the hotel.”

Leilah’s eyes widened. “The hotel?”

Ryan told this woman where he was staying? They were going to have to have a serious conversation about operational security.

“Well, yes, dear. Ryan mentioned that he’s staying at the Diplomat Club. So I sent them there.”

A tsunami of relief swept over Leilah and her knees nearly buckled. Sorry, I doubted you, Ryan.

“Oh, of course. That was kind of you. I’ll let him know.” She flashed another smile and then raced out of the bathroom.

She sprinted down the hallway and skidded to a stop in the doorway to the reading room. “We need to go. Now.”

Ryan looked up from the computer screen and held up his pointer finger. “Give me a minute.”

“No! Now!” She realized she was shouting but didn’t care.

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